Package wrapping and mechanism therefor



Oct. 12, 1937. N. KRAFT Y 2,095,260

PACKAGE WRAPPING AND MECHANQM THEREFOR Filed nec. 26, 1935 s sheets-sheet v1 Filed npc.V 26, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I HHH HIHHHHHINNLLH l x I. l I I l I I III.

L-T- I I I I I l I I I I I I I I I I I I l lm 1 I" Oct. 12; 1937. N. KRAFT 2,095,260 y PACKAGE WRAPPING AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed D60. 26, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'Patented Oct. l2, 14937` STATES ezfiwaiaco` PATENT, ori-ics P ramos wnArrmG AND Mscnmsir rnaasron A l Norman Kraft, Wilmette, Ill., assigner to Kraft- Phenix Cheese Corporation, Chicago, I ll., a col'-v poration of Delaware application December zo, 1935, serial No. 56,190

13 Claims.

4the date of production of the wrapped material,

the date of sale for shipment thereof or some other selected data or other fact such as formula, etc.,

pertaining to the goods. r l yThe main objects of the invention are -to provide a package wrapping which will embody identication means such as above indicated automatically as an incident to the application of a :wrapper to the package; to provideI such identitication means which may be varied through a predeterminedrange of-identifying data; to provide mechanism constituting, in eilect, a portion of the' wrapperv applying mechanism for treating the `wrapper .to indicate the desired data: tobprovide gosuch lmeans which is adjustable to :facilitate changing` ofthe identifying data to be indicated; and in general, it istheobject ofthe invention to provide simple, durable, efllcient and otherwise generally improved'v package identifying means and mechanism for .applying the same.

, y'Other objects and advantages of the-invention will be understood by reference to the following specification `and accompanying -drawings y (3 sheets) wherein there is discloseda package and ferred fc'irm'gof the invention.

package wrapping mechanism embodying a pre- Inthedrawi-ngs-l Fig. l is a' fragmentary sectional view through a portion of a more or less conventional ypackage wrapping machine.. l.

Figs. 2, 3, and 'i are fragmentary. sections corresponding to portions of Fig. l, to show changed `positions of .certain parts.

Figs. 5 and 6 aresections on the lines 5``5 and .40 6 6 respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 'Iris a section on the `line 1+-1 o f Fig. 6, but on an enlargedscale. Fig. 'l also corresponds to a portion of Fig. ,1, butshows the parts in a changed position. 45. i Fig.'8 is a plan of aiwrapper such as is applied `to packages by the machine disclosed, and

Fig. 9 is a perspective showing a completed package bearing` identification' provided according to the present invention. j

-` 'Referring now to the drawings and more parl ti'cularly to Figs'. 8 and A9, the package herein shown is illustrated as being of generally rectangular shape and comprising an inner container of cardboard or the like and an outer wrapper Il of suitably lithographed gpgppem.

" the side folders 2l and 25, as

-oi movement ofthe package I series of conveyor belts designated 2l, 21 ind decorated paper. The wrapper I0 as shown in Fig. 8, is rectangular, nearly square in shape; and the lines on which it is folded around the package are indicated by dotted lines. End covering flaps. designated II, II are provided by slitting 6 the wrapper as indicatedat I2, I2. The form of v the wrapper andthe exact method in which it is folded about the package is not material to this invention excepting to the extent that opposite marginal portions I3 and I4 of the wrapper are brought into relatively overlapping relation Von one face 'of the package. v V

lIn this instance the margin Il .is shown 'as overlapping on theoutside of the marginal portion I3. Said outer marginal portion Il ispro- -16 vided with a punched hole I 5 which serves to exposeone numeral of arow or series thereof indicated at I6. All of the numerals except the one which registers with the hole Icare concealed by the overlying marginal portion Il. In Fig. 9, ,20 the number 7 is shown as beingxexposed through the opening I5 and,'by way of-example, the'number 'l may indicate that the package contentswere produced in the seventh month of the current calendar-year. 0f course, the exposed numeral 25j may refer toa formula number, to a lot number or any other data which it is desired to record, and of course the numbers may be replaced by letters or other symbols.

The opening I5 may be located to register with 3o and expose any of the other numerals and, if desired, two or more openlngsrmay be provided if required for any particular identification purposes. m

Referring now to Figs. 1 toinclusive, a more 35 or less conventional mechanismv for applying the wrapper or label l! will be described.

Unwrapped but folded cardboardV boxes containing the goods are fed into the mechanism on the'upper reach of a conveyorbelt I1, the'lower 40 reach of which is indicated at I8. A reciprocating plunger I9 carried by a shaft v2li serves to :'move the unwrapped packages designated 2 I, sidewise onto the 4upper ends of. elevating plunger sections 22 and 23.

'I'he elevating plungers moved upwardly to carry the .package 2| into engagement withy the wrapper Ill and between shown in Fig. 2.

The wrappers III are successively delivered into 50 the position illustrated in Fig.

22 and 23- are next 1', above the path 2I by means of-a by suitablepulleys not 28, which are carried one pulley for each 55 herein shown. Of course,

belt is driven so as to impart the proper drive oi the belts for carrying the labels or wrappers i@ into said operative position. One side margin I 3 of the wrapper is supported and guided by means or a channel-shaped guide element 29. The opposite margin it of the wrapper is similar-l 1y guided by channel-shaped guide members designated 3D. In Fig. 5 a supply stack of wrappers I0 is indicated at ills, suitable means well-known to those skilled in the art being provided for eeding the wrappers one by one from such stack to the conveyor belts 2t', 2l and 38.

As an incident to the elevation oi the ypackage 2l to the position illustrated in Fig. 2, a portion of the wrapper lil is folded downwardly over one side of the package by the folder 2S and another portion of the wrapper is folded downwardly over the opposite side of the package by the folder 25.

The next step in the operation ci applying the wrapper consistsin advancing a folder plate 3i which is carried by one or more rods such as represented at 32, the saine being connected with suitable mechanism whereby such rod or rods and vthe folder plate 3i are reciprocated. The folding 'plate 3i serves,I upon itsiorward movement, to fold the margin portion i3 of the wrapper under the package, the plunger or elevator section 22 being lowered improperly synchronized relation with the advance movement 'of the folder 3i.

This relationship is indicated in Fig. 3.

E* to complete the wrapping to form vi'iuit'able mechanism, not herein showmthen serves to swing the side folder upwardly, the same being pivoted as indicated at 33 on a bracket part 3d which constitutes o, stationaryA portion of the framework of the mechanism. When the folder 25 is elevated tothe position ,illustrated inFig. 4i, the folder 25 is moved forwardly by suitable mechanism to thereby feed the package 2| sidewise over the supporting or table plate 35. As indicated in Fig. l, the folder 24 is slidably mounted on a rod or rods-such as indicated at 3S which are carried by the frame bracket 34. Associated with the folder 2A and its supporting bracket 3l is a weighted plunger 3b, the same being suitably vertically slidably mountedl by means of a stem 39 in a leg vof the bracket Si. The weighted plunger 33 serves to clamp the Wrapper on the top of the Vpackage and to prevent movement of the wrapper relative to the packing during folding operations.

When the package 2i is moved sidewise as indicated in Fig. d. the marginal portion id of the wrapper is incidentally folded under the package and under the marginal portioni 3 of the wrapper. In this `manner the marginal portion' M of the wrapper is caused to overlap the outside marginal portion I3 of the wrapper.

Suitable mechanism not :forming part of this invention and therefore not herein illustrated. serves to effect folding of the projecting end portions of the Wrapper over the ends of the package the package as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The wrappers il) in the supply stack l il thereof are'initially provided with the row l t of identifying marking. In the stacl: the marking appears on the bottom face of each sheet and is therefore not visible on the top of the stack as shown in Fig. 5. Because identifying data are subject to change on the basis of time periods or for other reasons, it is not practical toinitially punch the wrappers with holes such as l5. Also the punching of the wrappers before supplying them to the wrapping mechanism would involve an extra costly handling of the wrappers. A further objection to initially punching the wrappers is that the frayed edges ofthe wrapper incident to the punching thereof would tend to interfere with the proper feeding thereof from the supply stack to the feeding belts, since such frayed edges tend to cause attachmentof the Wrappers one tor another. y

In order to expeditiously provide the punching necessary to disclose the selected data. and to facilitate changing of the location of .thepunch-A ing, the following mechanism is provided:-

A punching unit designated l'is provided.

cured to the angle iron bracket i3 ,throughfthe agency of a, pair orA cap screws 'l5 which pass through an elongated slot it provided in the ver tical flange of the bracket di?. The cap screws 45.

threadedly 'engage suitably tapped holes'in the block 32 so that the latter may be tightly clamped in relatively lhired position on the bracket v63. Also, by loosening the cap screws ttl. the block may be adjusted lengthwise of 'the'loracltet to any selected position.

The block .d is provided with a channel 4l' which is, in effect, a restricted continuation of the- The channel il is connectedv guide member 319. to the guide 3l; by Ameans of a guide bracket 48 which is provided with an inclined portion 49 servingt to provide a smooth surface for guiding the marginal portion lo of the wrapper upwardly through the channel 47. A similar guiding bracket to extends from the rear end of the punch block il? for supporting the portion of the wrapper which projects beyond the said punch block. The guide brackets i8 and 59 are each secured to the punch block '42 by suitable means such as bolts indicated at Eil. The forwardly extending guide member @iii is arranged to telescope over the outside of the guide bracket so that adjustment of the punching unit longitudinally of 'the bracket d3 may be accomplished without interference between the guides and d8.

The leg or arm. $2 of the punch block ai?. formed by the channel ill, carries a depending punch member 53 and astripper spring iifl. The punch element '53 and stripper Eil are anchored to the punch block in any suitable manner as to retain their operative positions as illustrated;

. A tubular die member 55 is .axially slidably mounted in the punch block l2 so as to be in axial alignment and cooperative relationship with the punch ill?. The adacent end of the punch' 58 ,and tubular die 55 .are of such relative size and so sharpened that when the tubular-die is caused to telescom over the punch 53. any interposed wrapper portion will be punched.- wlth a cleanhole, the punched cut-,portion being fed downwardly' resiliency urge sind tubma'rdie downwardly fram' thev punch member Il .or otherwise' provided in connection with any suitabledriving shaftv of the wrapping machine. It .is,of course, important that the cam' il be driveny so that it will beoperative to actuatethe rockarms lil andthef punching mechanism in properly timed relation to the. aforesaid folding portions of the machine. A The free ends of the rock` arms carry a ilattened bar said bar being provided at its endswith short shaft portions y65. which are journalled in the ends ofthe arms''l. By reason of this mounting. of the bar M, it may maintain full face to face engagement with the'ilange'd. end Il ofthe "tened bar 6.4 is provided with an elongated slot die member throughout the various positions assun'ied by the bar in itsosclllating movement incident tothe rocking of the arms i8. Ihe flat 86 which at all times registers with the, .w :i way in the tubular die member regardless of lthe position 'of' adjustment of the punching unit.` It

will be observed that althoughthe punching unit Il is adjustable longitudinally of the`bracket the operating mechanism consisting .of therock y arms ss and the daneses bar u is relatively nx.'

edlymounted. The latter are nevertheless capable of actuating the punching mechanism regard'- less ofthe position of adjustment of the latter.

By adjusting the punching-unit 4i longitudinal- 1y of the bracket I3, it will be seen that the-location of the holer` Ii in the marginal portion of the wrapper may be selectively located to disclose the desired number .or-marking in the row Il of n numbers or symbols. The operation of adjusting the'punchingmechani'sm yis exceptionally simple in that it-requires only the loosening of the fastening screws 4! `and shifting of the punching unit to the desired position, thereupon the fastening screws are again tightened to hold the parts in adjusted position.' inasmuch as the wrappers Il for a given' package arefof a predeter of the wrappers, adjustment of the'punching unit mined dennite and the'row' ilvof symbols is located with reasonable accuracy the same on all' maybe'facilitated b'y' provision of a suitable scale, if 'desired.` Such 'a scale might be indicated on. the angle iron bracket l) and yhave, reference to a marken the pimch block l2 visible through the slot for other special, more or dicating means\ may be provided.

l The wrapping Amechanism is conventionally y equipped with means for applying adhesive to the `inside face of the extreme marginal portion il so that when the latter is folded to its final pod- I tion on-the package, it will be adhesively secured to the underlying portion i3, 4Such adhesive-is applied Vto the bottom side of the wrapper during its advance movement on the convey-A orali.'4 21` and lll. Tovpreventvthe adl'ie'sively coated marginal portionof the wrapper'from dragging across the conveyor belts 21 and 2l 'during the folding operation. there is provided an arm 01 which may bepivotally mounted at one of the wrapper when applied to the package.

themachine. The free end of the arm is equipped with a series of upstanding pinsorv prongs designated which are, as shown in Fig. 3, adapted to lift the marginal portion Il of the n, wrapper upwardly ofthe conveyor belts 21 and 2l during the folding operation. t'othereby prevent end on anyconveniently'accessible portion of `contacting of' theadhesive containing-portion of the wrapper with the-said` conveyor belts. v The arm 61 is preferably urged to move upwardly by suitable spring Ameans not shown and its upward movement is controlled vby means'of a depending bracket having aportion. adapted to be lengaged by the lower 'faceof the elevating plunger 2.3. When the plunger 23 'moves upwardly', the

army Olis permitted to swing upwardly until' the bracket l engages the lowermost edge of `a package guide plate 1li. When the` prongs "88' are in their uppermost position as indicated in Fig. 3,"'2

the wrapper is suillciently elevated from the conveyor belts to serve the purpose indicated. 'Another package guide element complementary Ato the guide element 'Ill is lindicated at 1i.

`The described punching mechanism constitutes a relatively 4vsimple mechanism which may easily beincorporated in''certain conventional types of package wrappersrsuch 'as represented by the foregoing explanation.

YChanges in the'described construction may be I made 'withoutv departing from the spirit of the A invention, the scope o! which should be determined by reference to the following claims', the

same being construed as broadly vas possible consistent with' the state of the art.

`i. In a machine for applying a wrapper to a package, punching mechanism for punching openings in predeterminedlocaticns in .the wrappers for disclosing marking onvanother portion Y 2. In a machine for applying a wrapper-:to a

package, punching mechanism i'or punching openf,

ings in predetermined locations in the wrappers for disclosing marking on another portion of the wrapper when applied tothe package, said punchf ing mechanism bein! adjustable to alter the lo cation of. the openings' formed thereby so asto permit registrationgof the openings with selected marking. l' v 2. In afmachine for applifinga wrapper to a package. punching mechanism for punching openings in -predeisbrniined locations in the wrappers `for disclosing marking Aonanother portion of the wrapper when applied to the package.'- said 1 punching mechanism comprising a punching unit having acocperatingpunch and die, means for mounting said .animer-adjustment relative-*toa normal-predetermined position of the wrapperV during its passage-'through' the machine.- and' relatively fixed means operative to actuate said.A less visiblein' \'punching unit` throughout the range'of adjust# ment .of the'latter.

having a cooperating punch and ydie, means forv mounting said unit forv adjustment relative to a normal predetermined position `ef the wrapper atiilely fixed means. free ori'l mechanical connection with said punchingiunit but operatively associated therewith `so as to be adapted to actuate 4. In a machine for applying a wrapper to a during its passage through'fthe machine, and relv seid unit through the renee et adjustment of the Hatten,

t. In n machine for oppiying n wrapper to o package, princi-zine mechanism for punching openings in predetermined iocetions in the irreppers for disclosing meridian' on :another portion of the urz-opper when applied to the nuclease, seid punching mechanism comprising o punching unit having o. cocos-rutina* punch und die. menus for mounting" seid unit for ediustment relctive to e norm'el predetermined position oi the wrepper during its possede through the zucchine, and means for nctuntiug sold punching unit comprisinc o. roch om, en elongoted ber connected to scid roch crm so ns to be oscillnted thereby as an incident to the rocking of sold erm, scid bur behn ing operative es en incident to its oscillation to octuete seid punching unit ond being of such length es to have operctive relation with the latter throughout the ronge of' adjustment thereof.

6. In e. machine for applying e. winpper to o package, punchinsJ mechanism for punching openings in predetermined locutions in the Wrappers for disclosing meshing on another portion of the wrapper when applied to the package, said. punching mechanism comprising a. punching unit having e coopereting punch ond die, ineens-for mounting seid unit for cdiustment relntiveton normsi predetermined position of the wrapper during' its possede through the machine, ond moons for actuating seid punching unit comprising e pair of roclr arms, on elongated iiotfbur extending between und iournolled et its ends in the free ends or seid roch arms, seid het bar belng adapted to cperotively engage u. portion of said punching unit so es toy octuete the latter as an incident to movement of the ber when said roch arms ere rocked, sud seid bor being of such y length es to be edopted to eugene seid punching mechanism tluouehout the rence of odjustment thereof, und ineens for effecting rocking of said roel: arms.

'1. In e. machine i'or applying' a. wropper to a paci-Inge, punching mechanism for. punching openings in predetermined locutions in the wrappers for disclosing marking on smother portion thereof when applied to the puclsngfe, seid punching mechanism including o. punching unit having a reciprocsble member, means for actuating said reciprocable member comprising e pair oi' rock arms, en elongated list-toned bur journelled at its ends in the free ends of seid rock arins and adapted to engage sold reciprocable member, the latter having a hanged portion adopted to engage seid iiettened ber end the letter being adapted to maintain isce to fece Contact with seid flanged portion incident to the pivotal mounting of said. flattened member, menus for reslliently maintaining seid reciprocoble member und said attened bar in operative engouement, end com means for effecting rocking ol said roch arms.

8; In at machine for applying e wrapper to a. package, punching mechanism for. punching openings in predetermined locutions in the wrappers for disclosing marking on other portions of the wrappers when sppiied to the package, said punching mechenism comprising# a 'punching unit having s. reciprocating, tubular die member provided with a, flanged end, means for actuating said tubular die member comprising an elongated flattened bar having o longitudinally extending slot through its wide foce, sid bor being adapted to engage the flanged end of said reciprocable die member with said slot in register with the pasaogewoy through seid die member for permitting paclrege, punching mechanism for punching' openings in predetermined locutions in the wrappers for disclosing marking on other portions of the wrappers when applied to the package, said punching mechanism comprising a punching unit having o. reciprocating tubular die member provided with a. iiangcd end, means for actuating sold tubular die member comprising en elongated ilattened bar having a. longitudinally extending slot through its wide face, scid bar being adapted to engage the flanged end of said reciprocable die member with said slot in register with the passngeway through said die member for permitting punchlngs to pass through the die member and said vflattened bar, means for actuating said bar to thereby actuote said die member, said elongated bar being xedly mounted for said octuating movement, and said punching unit being ad justable longitudinally of said bar so es to permit changing of the location of the wrapper punching while maintaining operative engagement with said actuating bar.

'10. In a. machine for applying a wrapper to a. package, punching mechanism for punching openings in predetermined locutions in the wrappers for disclosing marking on other portions of the wrappers when applied to the package, said punching mechanism comprising n punching unitv having a. reciprocating tubular die member provided with a anged end, means for actuating said tubular die member comprising an elongated ilattened bar having a longitudinally extendingv slot through its Wide face, said bar being adopted to engage the ilsnged end of said reciprocoble die member with said slot in register with the passageway through seid die member and said iattened bar, means for actuating seid bar to thereby actuote said die member, said elongated bar being iixedly mounted for said actuating movement, seid punching unit being adjustable longitudinally of said bar so as to permit chr-:nging of thelocation of the wrapper punching while maintaining omrativeengagement with seid actasting bar, and means for resiliently maintaining said bar and seid die member in operative engagement.

11. In a machine for applying a wrapper to a openings in a predetermined location in the wrap- "per for disclosing marking on another portion of the wrapper when applied to the package, said punching mechanism comprising a punching unit including a reciprocable tubular die member and being adjustably mounted to permit changing of the location of the punching to be effected thereby so as to permit registration of such punching with selected marking, and means for actuating said tubular die member throughout the range of its adjustment comprising a pair of rock arms, an elongated attened bar extending between and journalled at its ends in the free ends of said rock arms, said flattened bar being provided with an elongated slot extending through its flattened face and said slot being adapted to register with the passagewaythrough said tubular die member to thereby permit punchings to pass through said die member, the latter being kprovided. with a. laterally flanged end adapted to engage the flattened face of said bar on opposite sides of said slot, means forv resiliently maintaining,I said anged die member end in engagement with said flattened bar, and means for effecting rocking of said rock arms to thereby eiect oscillation of said bar to actuate said die member, the pivoted mounting of said attened member serving to permit the latter to retain normal engagement with saidv flanged die member end in all positions of movement of the l tioned so as to expose selected indicia when, the package is enclosed in said wrapper in the normal manner and then wrapping the package.

in the normal manner with the lwindowed part overlying the indicia-bearing part so that the selected indicia may be viewed through said window while obscuring the indicia not so selected.

13. 'I'he method of marking a package which is to be enclosed in a wrapper having overlappingportions, which comprises providing the wrapper blank with a series of indicia on the part of the wrapper which is to underlie the overlying part,

l and then performing as parts of a continuous operation the steps of forming in the overlying part a window selectively positioned so as to register with the desired indicia when the package is enclosed in said wrapper in the normal manner yand wrapping the package in the normal manner with the apertured part overlying the indiciabearing part so that the desired indicia may be viewed through said aperture while obscuring the indicia not so selected.

NORMAN KRAFT. 

